Darboh, a 6-foot-2, 212-pound specimen from Des Moines, Iowa, arrived at Michigan a year ago with plenty of fanfare and plenty of lofty expectations.

Physically, he was ready to contribute right away as a true freshman. In camp, he was the player veterans raved about. He made impressive catches during practice, showed an ability to be a difference maker and seemed destined for plenty of playing time right away.

And while he did, in fact, get on the field as a freshman -- he never really made the impact some believed he might.

Darboh gained plenty of experience as a special teams player, and a blocking wideout, but he never once made a reception.

Does he regret not sitting out, though?

Not at all.

"I had a chance to play special teams, I had a chance to get in the game flow of things," he said. "Practice helps, but being on the field during gameday helps (more).

"I thought it helped me a lot. Last year, the first couple of games, I was nervous. But as it went on, I got more comfortable."

The expectations for Darboh a year ago may have been somewhat unrealistic. This season, though, that changes.

He's had a year in the system. He's gotten his feet wet inside Michigan Stadium, he's been on the travel squad and he fully understands just how fast a college football game moves.

He's not expected to be just a special teams contributor anymore. He's expected to make big plays on the edge and down the field.

Darboh is just one of Michigan's young, rangy, big-bodied wide receivers who could make an impact this season. Redshirt freshman Jehu Chesson has also drawn plenty of praise from the coaching staff. And true freshmen Csont'e York, Jaron Dukes and Da'Mario Jones also have the size to make an impact, possibly.

But Darboh's the only one of the group with in-game experience. Whether he has a catch or not. And, he also has a firm grasp on what it means to play wide receiver at Michigan, and the expectations that come along with it.

"Coming in, I knew about the tradition and all the great wide receivers here," he said. "But I just try to go out there and compete, I don't want to let that get to my head.